Porter will undergo knee surgery today
Joey Porter can be removed from Pittsburgh's unsolved mystery list.
Turns out, the Pro Bowl outside linebacker has been absent from the team's voluntary workouts because he is set to undergo knee surgery today. The surgery is not believed to be serious, and Porter is expected to be back to full strength by the start of training camp July 28.
Neither Porter nor coach Bill Cowher would comment, so it is unknown when he injured the knee and why he waited until today to have the procedure performed. Porter participated in the team's three-day minicamp May 13-15 and moved around well.
He will miss the team's remaining 10 voluntary workouts, which began a week ago and conclude June 8.
"He's a big part of this team; the motivational and vocal leader," veteran offensive left tackle Marvel Smith said. "When you think of our defense, he's who you think of, for the most part. He motivates this whole team."
On Aug. 9 of last year, Porter had arthroscopic surgery to remove loose cartilage from his left knee during training camp. He returned for the season opener Sept. 11 and finished the season with 10 1/2 sacks, tops among all NFL linebackers. He added three more sacks in the postseason.
Despite his success, Porter believed he might have rushed back too early after undergoing the procedure. He'll have more time to heal and rehabilitate in this instance, given training camp is nine weeks away.
The season opener is Sept. 7 against the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field.
Porter, 29, will endure his third knee surgery in less than four seasons. Each of the procedures, including this one, was arthroscopic.
The eight-year veteran was at the Steelers' South Side facility yesterday, and, even though he did not participate in team drills, he worked out in the weight room and attended meetings.
Several of his teammates did not know -- or, at least, gave the impression that they didn't -- why Porter missed the first four of the team's voluntary workouts last week. It wasn't until after the players were interviewed yesterday that the media was apprised of Porter's impending surgery.
"I don't know if he's hurt or injured or what," wideout Hines Ward said. "I don't know the reason he's not here.To be honest, I don't have a clue why he's not here."
Fellow outside linebacker Clark Haggans said he saw Porter in the weight room yesterday but didn't ask why he had been absent from the voluntary workouts.
"But whatever's going on with him, I'll say my prayers for him and whatever happens, happens," Haggans said.
"I'm not too sure what's going on. He doesn't fill me in. I try to stay out of it because that's what he has to deal with, and he has to take care of himself and his family."
Porter, who ranks sixth on the Steelers' all-time sacks list with 53, a half sack behind Greg Lloyd, was the lone starter to miss the first three voluntary sessions last week. Center Jeff Hartings also missed the session yesterday.
"He (Porter) was busy last week; he had to take care of some things," Haggans said. "I figured that's why he wasn't here. I didn't run up to him like I was his mom or something like he abandoned curfew. He's a grown man, and whatever he has to get done, he has to get done."
Porter created a stir the last time he spoke with the media. He jokingly made comments about the Steelers' visit to the White House on June 2 and how he had "something to say," to President George Bush.
Porter later sent out a statement to clarify the comments, claiming they were taken out of context. The Steelers began voluntary workouts the following day -- without Porter.
Asked if too much was being made of Porter's absence, Haggans provided an answer.
"Yeah, I'd say so," Haggans said. "I guess the whole thing ... He's going to the White House, I hope so now. But before Joey wanted to lower gas prices (an issue Porter jokingly said he would take up with Bush), and I guess he was talking all crazy. But he'll be here. Everybody's counting on him being here. You know how Joey is. You know he's going to be ready. As soon as football comes around, he's ready when he steps on the field -- always. He's a leader."
